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Suspect "Had Relationship" with Young Gay Man Found in Dumpster

New developments into the death of Lashon Lee Douglas Jr, the 20-year-old gay Georgia man whose body was found in a rural dumpster. Authorities arrested 35-year-old Eric Riley, who charged with concealing the death and tampering with evidence. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirms to Project Q Atlanta the deceased and Riley "had a relationship."

According to Rodney Wall, special agent in charge of the GBI office in Columbus, [the] two men had contact the weekend prior to Douglas’ body being found March 18. "I am not going to comment on his lifestyle,"  Wall said Tuesday. "But they had a relationship and it was mutual. That is my understanding from everything we’ve learned."

Wall said investigators don’t yet know how Riley and Douglas met. "They hooked up one way or another. I don’t know the circumstances on how they met right now," Wall said.

Douglas’ body showed "no signs of a stabbing or shooting, but some bruises were visible around the face and neck." Autopsy and toxicology results are pending, but, homicide charges have not been filed. Yet. However the GBI confirms Riley remains the sole suspect. "I believe we have the sole person that was involved," Walls told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

Atlanta-based Darian Aaron confirmed Douglas was gay and "also went by the name Arielle Redd. Douglas was laid to rest in Marietta, Georgia. Friends have created a Myspace page in his memory." Many of the well-wishers on the MySpace tribute are affiliated with the ballroom community.

There has been some speculation this was an online encounter. It will be worth seeing what "relationship" Lashon Lee Douglas had with Eric Riley that would warrant his body being discarded in a highway dumpster like trash.

Suspect, Gay Victim "Had Relationship" [Project Q ATL]

Some Background ...
Investigators Probe Death of Man Dumped [R20]

Investigators Probe Death of 20 YO Georgia Man Dumped in Trash Bin

Thanks to Darian Aaron for calling this tragic story to our attention. The body of a 20-year-old black gay Georgia man was found in a rural dumpster and investigators have arrested a man in connection with the death. However the cause of death has yet to be established and homicide charges have not been filed. Yet.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports: "Eric Riley, a 35-year-old truck driver, was arrested and charged with concealing the death of Lashon Lee Douglas Jr., 20, and tampering with evidence. GBI agents discovered  evidence Riley allegedly destroyed when they served a search warrant at his home in Box Springs. [Agents] would not describe the evidence or say how it was destroyed."

"The Pebblebrook High School alumni loved music and theater, and had just moved to Snellville to live with his mother and learn to become a hair stylist, his father, LeShon Douglas Sr. told the AJC."

Investigators discovered "Riley knew Douglas and was with him at some point during the weekend before his body was found," adds the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. There is some speculation this was an online hookup but authorities decline comment.

"Douglas was laid to rest last Saturday in Marietta, Georgia. Friends have created a Myspace page in his memory," reports Darian Aaron, who confirm Douglas was gay and "also went by the name Arielle Redd." Many of the well-wishers on the MySpace tribute are affiliated with the ballroom community.

Another young life cut short, this one discarded in a highway dumpster like trash. Lashon Lee Douglas Jr. deserved better.

Thanks DARIAN and JAM. Also our apologies for initially using the wrong photo.